APC: Mock Interviews and Presentation Skills

Today’s business environment requires companies and individuals to stand out from their competitors.  Good and effective communication is an essential component that needs to be used to get messages across that help existing and potential customers to decide where to place their business.  

This has been recognised by the RICS and the ability of prospective Members to communicate effectively is incorporated in the current APC requirements as Competence A074.  Sadly, many candidates have fallen at the last hurdle of their APC by failing to demonstrate that they can ‘express themselves clearly in a verbal presentation and interview’.

Candidates must deploy effective presentation and interview technique. It is important that candidates are familiar with the assessment process that they face, and apply themselves appropriately. This includes consideration of how scenario style questions will be handled in addition to the more technical questions.

At the interview, as well as possessing a strong knowledge in their subject areas, candidates must demonstrate a good understanding of professional ethics. They must be familiar with the contents of the RICS Code of Conduct, and must be able to respond to questions on a range of issues for which answers will not be found in the Code.

SPEAKERS:

Sara Wilkinson MA MPhil. FRICS (Haydock)
Principal Lecturer in Building Surveying at Sheffield Hallam University

Prior to joining Sheffield Hallam University, Sara worked in London for Watts and Partners where she provided professional Building Surveying services. She lectures on the topic of contaminated land at Hallam and has delivered CPD regionally for sometime. 

Sara has been a chairperson for the Building Surveying APC for several years.  She is also a member of the RICS Energy Efficiency panel.

John Faulkner FRICS (Durham County Cricket Club)
Director of JFPC Ltd, Director of Pentland Ltd

John is a consultant with his own practice as well as being a Director of Pentalnd Ltd and the RICS Regional Training Advisor for the North West.  John is an excellent speaker and is very familiar with the APC interview format because he sits in as an observer on a regular basis.

Ron Harland FRICS FNAEA MCIPD

Ron is a Director of The Property Professional’s Consultancy and has been in training and development for 15 years and has written and delivered numerous courses in presentation skills for both seminars and in-house events.

AIMS:

The seminar is suitable for candidates in all APC routes, provides practise and confidence for the RICS interview (as well as an illustration for each candidate of the issues that could arise on the day).

SCOPE OF THE SEMINAR:

The seminar will offer information and practical advice concerning the following:

• Allow candidates to undertake a five minute presentation to Ron or Austen within a small group: video recordings will be available for further reflection. This is however optional and some delegates may just wish to observe other delegates presentations.
  

• Provide examples of interview questions in relation to delegates’ critical analysis, and the chance to formulate answers.
  

• Give feedback to each candidate on their performance and issues requiring attention, and conclude with overall comments.

AFTERNOON SESSIONS - 2.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Tuesday, 3 February 2004 - WAKEFIELD

Wednesday, 4 February 2004 - HAYDOCK

Wednesday, 11 February 2004 - CHESTER LE STREET